Saint Sylvestre

Sweets made by DC's Mom

Almost everyone in the family has indigestion after more than a week of continuous binging. So for St Sylvestre this year I've decided to keep the meal simple : Foie gras on toasts to start (that we ate with an excellent Loupiac), followed by Gambas al pil pil and a Roast Beef served with Hub's Marchand de Vin Sauce (shallots, red wine, porcini mushrooms...), fried potatoes and green beans. For those who want it there was Gongonzola Cheese after that and a Tiramisu to finish. Home-made, of course.

The Loupiac

Gambas al Pil Pil

Roast Beef Sauce Marchand de Vin

Tiramisu

Just before midnight, we drove next door to DC and M's house in Montale to welcome 2009 together. They had family (from Puglia) and friends (old Beaux Arts schoolmates from Paris - one of them's an actress) visiting so it was quite festive. In fact they sent rockets etc shooting after midnight (and the extra second for the atomic whatever) which gave me quite a fright. When you come from a country where they told you that you could burn down your house or lose your fingers with those stuff you couldn't help but worry. We also had free fireworks displays as the neighbours competed with one another to set them off. There's an economic crisis coming on, but not in Montale.

They had quite a lovely sweet New Year spread of pandoro, homemade sweets/snacks and citrus fruits from the South where DC's family come from and of course free flow of champagne. We talked, we danced and then we went back home to sleep.

I wonder if I should start working on my NY resolutions and try for more realistic stuff then strike the lottery or lose weight. How many of you make resolutions and actually stick to them?